{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationSales of new homes fell in May by 5.5 per cent
Sales of new homes fell in May by 5.5 per cent
Member and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future detached home construction.
“A slower housing market is not surprising in a month containing both a federal election and an interest rate hike,” added Mr Devitt.
“Despite the decline in May, sales of new homes in the first five months of the year remain very strong.
“Ongoing increases in interest rates are expected to bring this boom cycle to an end. Households’ capacity to borrow will begin to constrain as rates rise further.
“The impact of rising rates will be compounded by the ongoing increases in the cost of construction and land, forcing up the cost of a new house and land package.
“Consumer confidence has fallen in other economies where central banks have tightened lending. The same impact is likely to emerge in Australia in the coming months.
“However, the significant volume of work under construction and elevated levels of work approved but not yet commenced, will see a significant lag before the rise in the cash rate adversely impacts on the number of new homes commencing construction.
“The lag from when a rate rise results in a decline in starts can be as short as six months, but in this cycle, it could be more than 12 months before the volume of starts fall due to the rise in rates,” concluded Mr Devitt.
Queensland and South Australia saw the only increases in new home sales in May: up by 8.8 per cent and 12.0 per cent respectively. Victoria led the declines, down by 12.7 per cent, following by New South Wales (-12.2 per cent), and Western Australia (-0.8 per cent).
For the three months to May 2022, compared to the same quarter in 2019, sales in Queensland were up by 44.1 per cent, followed by New South Wales (+43.2 per cent), Western Australia (+21.0 per cent) and Victoria (+19.2 per cent). South Australia was the only state that was down over this period, down by 6.5 per cent.
Private new house sales - Australia (Seasonally adjusted)
For more information please contact:
Red tape and skills shortages stall builder hiring despite housing boom
HIA says residential builders and trades remain cautious about hiring in 2026. Not due to a lack of housing demand, but because of mounting cost pressures, regulatory hurdles, and persistent skills shortages, according to a survey of small to medium enterprise members.
What’s new for workplaces in 2026?
Workplace laws are set for more changes in 2026.
Small business confidence falters in residential building sector
Australia’s residential building industry has entered the new year with confidence still on shaky ground for small businesses as rising costs and policy uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook.
Tasmania’s Building Approvals Dip in November – But Quarterly Growth Shows Signs of Recovery
Tasmania’s housing market slowed in November, with building approvals falling sharply compared to October. Approvals for new homes dropped almost 20 per cent, and even after seasonal adjustment, the decline was 5.8 per cent.